Illinois

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

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Highlights

40 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed
31st most burdensome licensing laws
30th most extensively and onerously licensed state

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Summary

Illinois is the 30th most broadly and onerously licensed state in the country. It requires licenses for 40 of the 102 low- and middle-income occupations studied. On average, people seeking to enter these occupations can expect to spend $249 in fees, lose 203 days to education and experience mandates and take one exam, the 31st most burdensome requirements.

Illinois' requirements are among the most burdensome in the nation for specific occupations, however. Illinois is one of only three states that require preschool teachers to pass three exams. The $1,050 fee Illinois charges to become a gaming supervisor is the third highest among the 23 states that license the occupation. Illinois is one of only two states that require locksmiths to pass two exams.

Illinois' education and experience requirements are also above average for some occupations. Security alarm installers, for instance, must obtain 1,099 days of training in Illinois compared to a national average of 535 days in that occupation. Of the 34 states that license security alarm installers, 14 do not even have an education and experience requirement. Pharmacy technicians must meet a two-year training requirement compared to a national average of just 194 days.

Illinois could improve job prospects for its low- and middle-income residents by reducing or eliminating barriers to employment like these.

Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	Occupation	Number of States that License	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Preschool Teacher	49	35	1,825	3	0	19
2	Athletic Trainer	46	500	1,460	1	0	0
3	Security Alarm Installer	34	832	1,099	1	0	0
4	Earth Driller	47	160	730	1	0	18
5	Pharmacy Technician	12	40	730	0	0	16
6	Veterinary Technologist	37	180	730	1	0	0
7	Barber	50	142	350	1	12	16
8	Cosmetologist	51	229	350	1	8	16
9	Makeup Artist	36	203	175	1	12	16
9	Skin Care Specialist	50	203	175	1	12	16
11	Pest Control Applicator	51	90	188	2	12	0
12	Massage Therapist	39	0	117	1	12	18
13	Auctioneer	33	671	45	1	12	18
14	Sign Language Interpreter	16	885	2	3	12	0
15	Emergency Medical Technician	51	20	26	1	12	18
16	School Bus Driver	51	36	0	6	0	21
17	Bus Driver (City/Transit)	51	110	0	5	0	21
18	Cathodic Protection Tester	16	1500	8	2	0	0
19	Gaming Supervisor	23	1050	0	0	0	21
20	Truck Driver	51	110	0	4	0	18
21	Manicurist	50	30	82	1	0	0
22	Teacher Assistant	29	45	7	1	12	0
23	Locksmith	13	165	4	2	0	18
24	Tank Tester	14	1000	9	1	0	0
25	Child Care Worker	33	0	4	0	12	0
26	Slot Key Person	21	250	0	0	0	21
27	Animal Control Officer	17	0	0	1	0	18
28	Gaming Cage Worker	22	125	0	0	0	21
28	Gaming Dealer	24	125	0	0	0	21
30	Security Guard	37	55	5	0	0	18
31	Animal Trainer	20	70	0	0	0	18
32	Bill Collector Agency	30	750	0	0	0	0
33	Vegetation Pesticide Handler	51	80	0	2	0	0
34	Mobile Home Installer	39	150	2	1	0	0
35	Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester	18	0	7	1	0	0
36	Milk Sampler	34	10	0	1	0	0
37	Cross-connection Survey Inspector	4	0	7	0	0	0
38	Farm Labor Contractor	9	50	0	0	0	0
39	Fisher	41	35	0	0	0	0
40	Taxidermist	26	25	0	0	0	0